The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-03-31
THE LATE GEN. LOVE.
His Conspicuous Calamity and Brilliant Services
Rt Cedar Greek

Gen. George n. Love, Colonel, 116th n. Y,
who died few days ago, had brilliant record
as a soldier. Among many deeds Of conspcu-
ous gallantry it was at Cedar Creek that he
gained his greatest fame. 1t will be recalled
that on the morning Of Oct. 10, 1864 Early
succeeded in completely surprising Sheridans
army, then under command temporarily of Gen.
Wright, drove them out Of their works, cap
tured % pieces OF artillery, about l,500 pris-
oners. a large number Of wagons and ambu-
lances and beat the Union forces back four or
five miles and very seriously crippled them.
At this juncture Sheridan arrived and assumed
command. The lines were reformed, and after
carefully ascertaining the position of the enemy.
a general assault was made. The rebels were
posted behind two stone walls, and when the
Union forces on the right, where the 10th
was, emerged from the woods. they were re-
ceived with a murdCrOus fire. The regiment
on the left of the 10th broke and went to the
rear and the troops on the right wRvered.
Col. Davis, then in command of the brigade,
asked Love If his regiment would stand a
charge. "Give me the order" was the reply.
Davis galloped Immediately in front of 10th
colors, followed by Love- and ordered his bugler
to blow the charge. At the same instant Love
raised his old SLOUGH hat waved it in the air,
and shouted Come on, my boys" and putting
spurs TO his horse rode forward, followed by
his regiment, yelling like fends. Before the
enemy comprehended what was being done,
the 1l6th was over a little rise of ground,
down into a hollow and up the rise on the
other side Immediately in front of the stone
fence behind which two lines of rebels lay.
They hestated moment, n few fired aud then
the whole force broke aud went TO the rear.
Just as Love crossed the stone wall his horse
fell dead under him. Fortunately Capt. VIM.
J. Morgan, of Co. G, at that moment captured
rebel officers skeleton of n horse and took it
TO Love, enabling him TO Temount, after trans
ferring the trappngs. A rebel battery was
posted a little 10 the right of the point where
the 10th pierced the rebel lines. On discover
ing it. Davis rapidly wheeled the regiment to
the right and charged the battery, nearly cap
turing it, and forcing it to abandon the field in
all possible haste. Evans's rebel brigade
was next taken in flank and entirely broken
up. The regiment was then reformed and
visited by Sheridan and personally compli-
mented by him upon the gallantry of the
charge. Other troops were brought up and the
whole ordered 10 wheel to the left in order to
strike the enemy's left flank. Capt. Morgan
was sent out in advance with two companies of
skirmishers to feel for the rebel line 1t was
discovered in a clearing just beyond belt of
timber. Their presence was at once reported to
Morgan by Col. Davis, who instantly ordered a
charge. When the Union shout was raised by Da-
Wis on the right, il was taken up along the whole
line in front and the enemy was thus pressed
simultaneously in front and on flank. His lines
broke and went to the rear in great confusion.
Love at this point. mounted upon the sham
bling rebel horse already referred to, discovered
a rebel Sergeant making off with his colors.
He put spurs TO his horse and rode into the
midst Of the flying rebels and seized the flag
before the Sergeant had any idea "Yank "
was near. Love jerked at the flag, but
the reb had no idea of relinquishing his
trust so easily, and he in turn vigorously tugged
at his end. The struggle continued in this
way for several minutes, the Colonel jerking to
free the coveted prize from the rebels grasp,
and the other pulling as vigorously to save it,
all moving along with the retreating mass, and
each pull threatening to turn the horse on his
beam ends. While this contest was in progress
between Love and the Sergeant, four members
of the rebel colOr-guard came up and fired al
Love, but his movements were SO rapid aud un-
certain that they all missed their aim. Love
then reached down, pulled from his bootleg an
old pistol that could not be induced to go or on
any pretext, pointed it at the Johnny's head
and shouted; " Let 90. or I'll blow your brain;
Quit" With this invitation the reb let go
and Love returned to the regiment waving his
trophy in the breeze.